<b>Ice angling for northern pike (</b><b><i>Esox lucius</i></b><b>) with tip-ups: hook style is important for successful catch and release</b>

Catch and release ice angling exposes fish to environments and techniques that differ markedly from those in open water. Accordingly, we studied the influence of quick-strike treble hooks and 0º offset circle hooks on aspects of northern pike (<i>Esox lucius</i>) capture and behaviour using tip-ups during the winter. Based on 235 northern pike captured over three winters, hook style did not influence strike frequency or catch success, but use of quick strike rigs with 2 or 3 treble hooks extended dehooking time and caused more foul hooking. Deep hooking events were very infrequent, but were most likely to occur when pike were captured on circle hooks. Camera footage revealed that pike were tentative and appeared to require considerable time to strike. Hook style did not influence pike approach or strike behaviour. Our findings suggest that quick strike rigs with a single treble hook offer the best balance between angler success and reduction of fish injury and handling time. However, rapid hook sets with reduced run time may be required to fully realize this outcome.